Traveling fire-escape.



L. OTTER. TRAVELING FIRE ESCAPE. APPLICATION FILED 0M. 12, 1908.

931,702. Patented Aug. 17, 1909. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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L. OTTER.

"TRAVELING FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 12, 1908.

931,702. Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUISE OTTER, OF SOHNEIDEMUHL, GERMANY.

TRAVELING FIRE-ESCAPE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUisE OTTER, whose maiden name is Hanna, a citizenof Germany, residing at Schneideiniihl, Germany, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Traveling Fire-Escapes, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to fire escapes or devices for rescuing peoplefrom burning buildings and the like.

The new device is such that several people can be saved at one and thesame time, and it consists in a frame mounted on wheels carryingcollapsible and expansible platform arrangements thereon.

In the accompanying drawing the invention is illustrateddiagrammatically in one form of construct-ion.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus extended for use. Fig. 2is an end view. Fig. 3 is a plan.

On the frame a of the vehicle Z) four sets of lazy tongs 0 are arranged,their lower ends being attached to blocks (Z formed as nuts to beengaged by right and left hand screw threads on spindles 6. Thesespindles are connected together and to an actuating shaft. 7' by meansof chains 9 or the like. The shaft f carries a hand wheel h which whenturned drives the spindles 6 so as to cause the blocks (Z to approach orrecede from one another, by which means the lazy tongs are extended asshown, or collapsed on to the vehicle frame.

On the lazy tongs a number of platforms 2' to i are provided, havingsuitable handrails, and when the lazy tongs are extended these platformscome approximately to the heights at which the different floors orstories of a building would be. On the uppermost platform i two shafts7c are provided with rope pulleys m thereon, over which pass ropes 0 orthe like carrying a sort of lift cage n. The ropes 0 are attached to awinding drum 7) at the bottom, which can be turned by means of a crank qor any suitable hand wheel or the like. Two of the ropes 0 run direct tothe drum 79, while the two others are carried over guide pulleys r asshown.

The cage 12 is guided by means of eyelets over two ropes w for examplewhich are attached to the upper platform, and the lower ends of whichare fastened to a second drum w.

The platforms 6 are provided at the sides Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed October 12, 1908.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

Serial No. 457,358.

of the vehicle 6 with gangways 8 having hand rails at each side, thesegangways being formed with hook shaped projections 25 at their lowerfront edges. These hooks are forced into the window openings of theburning building and thus serve to hold up the escape framework. Thislatter is further supported by means of rods 14 which may be attachedfor example to the platform 2 Additional rods can be screwed on to therods a for the purpose of connecting the separate platforms one withanother so that a rigid framework may be produced.

The walls of the lift cage n at each side of the vehicle are preferablyalso made to open out so that it shall be easy for anyone to enter andleave the cage. Finally on one or both sides of the framework (1- of thevehicle 6, steps y are provided.

The device above described is used in the following manner. Normally theframework of the escape is folded up; in order that the height of theescape when so folded may be as small as possible, each of the higherplatforms is smaller than the next below it, so that it will fit intothe one next below it. In use the vehicle is brought as close aspossible to the burning building so that its side stands parallel to thewall of the building. The vehicle is locked stationary by applying thebrakes (not shown) or in any other suitable manner. The hand wheel h isnow turned so that the lazy tongs 0 are extended to the position shownin the drawing while the guide ropes 'w are simultaneously allowed tounwind from the drum w. The platforms 2' now stand approximatelyopposite to the different floors of the building. The firemen open outthe gangways s of the platform 2' and thrust them into the windowopenings of the building where they are held by their hooks t; the rods16 are spread out and the guide ropes w are stretched by turning andfastening the drum 00. The firemen make their way into the burningbuilding and save the people who are in danger, bringing them on to theplatform 2' from which they can be lowered by the lift to the bottomframework a of the vehicle Z) in order to reach the street or the likeby passing down the steps 4;.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is:

A portable fire escape comprising in com- 5 same a plurality ofplatforms spaced apart from each other Vertically and mounted on saidstructures, said platforms having railings being of successivelyincreased size from the lowermost to the uppermost platform to 10 )ermitthe u 3 )ermost alatform to restu )on 1 ll 1 l and fit within therailing of the next lowermost platform when the structures are lowcredsaid platforms having side portions provided with hooks adapted tobeopened and engaged with the building, a lift car movable verticallythrough said platforms, ropes for guiding said car, lifting ropes forsaid car, and a winch for operating said lifting ropes.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence 0 two subscribing witnesses.

LUISE OTTER. lVitnesses HENRY HASPER, VJOLDEMAR HAUPT.

